Week ban for Hipkiss

Bath centre Dan Hipkiss has been banned for a week by the Rugby Football Union.

Hipkiss was sent off on receipt of two yellow cards during Bath's Aviva Premiership victory over Exeter last Saturday. The first yellow was for a technical offence, and the second for misconduct while the ball was out of play.

Hipkiss had been sin-binned when he stopped Exeter taking a quick lineout throw, prompting referee Wayne Barnes to brandish a second yellow, which meant an automatic red card.

The RFU announced that Hipkiss will be free to play again next Monday after appearing before judicial officer His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett.

The suspension means that Hipkiss will miss Bath's Premiership appointment with London Welsh at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday.